The verbs that have crept into our so-often, so-called Gospel messages have really troubled me over the years. I know that there is a lot of “receive” language in the New Testament, especially the Gospels, but what of the meaning – and are we supposed to “Accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior?”

Of “accept” I find,

Romans 12:1 – ” Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”

Romans 15:7 – “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”

1 Cor 2:14 – “But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.”

I might be accused of splitting hairs here, but when we are talking of the Sovereign and our only Way to Him, it is imperative that we shun all anthropocentric approaches and cling to Him, His way.

If this ruins an alliterated point in a favorite sermon, let me suggest another “A”-word – ACKNOWLEDGE.